And I'm keeping your hoodie..

Hey Dad..

A few years back...

It was a cold crisp day..I was sitting on the porch with my red hoodie on, it was the only thing that kept me warm from the cold everyday. I never liked jackets..just like my dad. My dad and I are a lot alike..except one of us isn't around. 

"Sweetie! It's time for dinner!" My mom yelled to me.

"Coming mom" I yelled back, putting my hands in my pockets as i stood up. I walked inside, seeing my mom setting food down.

"I thought we were going to grandma's party?" I asked, my grandma always throws a party for every holiday.

"We are, and we are meeting your father there, but it's not till 9pm" She said with a smile.

Great..i get to finally see my dad..he can't even show up to our house? Hes meeting us at party? Of course he is, all he cares about is work anyways! Just work work work!

There was a knock on the door.

"Emmie, can you get that? That's probably Laurence and Garroth" My mom said.

"And Ally and Kacey?" I asked, finally my day was sorta getting better. I ran to the door to see my friends an their fathers.

"Ally! Kacey!" I said a i hugged them both. My mom came to the door and welcomed in 'my uncles' as she called them. 

We all sat at the table, everyone sharing stories except me..i didn't have many stories besides holidays, but we all know those holiday stories! I'm jealous..i'm jealous that they have stories..i'm jealous that they have someone to play catch with..

I'm jealous that my dad is working instead of being with me.

"Emerald?" Kacey said looking at me, my ears were down and my tail was no longer wagging at the funny stories.

I just stood up and went to the backyard, i couldn't hear the stories anymore..i didn't want to even think about my dad..

I know that Garroth, Laurence, Kacey, and Ally left a little after that..but i knew my mom was probably angry at me so i stayed outside. At least i have my jacket to keep me warm..it was getting colder by the hour, and it was only 8pm.

I heard the back door open.

"Come on Emmie, it's time to go to grandma's party" She said to me.

"Can i walk there actually..?" I asked, i didn't really want to get in the car and ride to grandmas, it was only around the corner anyways.

"Yeah, come before 9:30 though, your father will be getting their soon" She said as she went back inside.

I just nodded, what was the point of seeing him? He didn't care about me..

After a little while i heard the back door creak open, i turned around to see..my dad..

"Welcome home dad.." I said putting my hood up.

"Thanks Emmie.." He said as he sat next to me, i just scooted away a bit.

"Emmie...i'm sorry i was a bit late.." He said.

"Who said that's why i was upset? Maybe i'm upset because i barely have a father because working is more important than me!" I yelled as i stood up.

"Emmie-"

"Don't Emmie me, dad! I have a reason to be upset at you! Its been a year and i haven't seen you! Because of stupid work!" I yelled at him, i was so angry! He deserved to be yelled at.

"I know..i know i haven't been there, but it's going to be different now!" He said as he stood up.

"Just because your here for fathers day?!" 

"No! I can stay here now!" He said.

"You think thats going to fix things?! Your back and everything is going to be back to how it was when i was five?! I'm 15 dad! And you've barley been in my life!" 

"I know! I know! But we can be a family again! Things can change, Emerald!" He said but i couldn't look at him.

"I just want my dad.." I said wiping my tears, he hugged me..

The Present..

Its fathers day..the worst day of the year..the day i lost my dad. I remember when everything changed..he was back for only five years..

Two Years Ago..

I was playing at my softball game, we had just won the game! Of course we decided to play against our fathers for fathers day. It was such a great day, my dad was driving me home..

"Good job, sweetie" He said to me.

"Thanks dad, i told you i was good at softball!" I said, he looked at me with a smile on his face.

"I didn't doubt you, i just said i was better!" He laughed as we both looked back at the road seeing headlights in front of us...an idiot driving the wrong way..

Neither of us saw it coming..

The Present

I was sitting on my back porch with my mom..just thinking about my dad.

"What would you say if he was here?" I asked my mom.

"I'd tell him i love him so much..and that i missed him.." She sniffled. "What about you sweetie..?"

I looked to my mom, and smiled "I'd say..."

"Hey dad..I love you..and i'm keeping your hoodie so your always with me..."